Rare Mexican 'water lizards' have been breeding in a London flat, resulting in 200 eggs being laid ready to hatch.

Ryan Dempsey, 25, from Newham, and his flatmate Diego Bonilla, 27, bought two endangered Mexican Axolotl salamanders at a pet store in Oxford Circus and were told that it would be almost impossible for them to breed in a tank.

Axolotls can survive for up to 15 years and keep their tadpole-like dorsal fin for the duration of their lives.

In the wild, they are found exclusively in waters near Mexico City - but their existence is in jeopardy due to large fish swimming in the area. In captivity the creatures seem to do a lot better, but Mr Dempsey was told at the pet store that they was next to no chance of his two breeding.

Rare Mexican 'water lizards' have been breeding in a London flat, resulting in 200 eggs being laid ready to hatch

Axolotls can survive for up to 15 years and keep their tadpole-like dorsal fin for the duration of their lives

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'I went back to the shop and they couldn't quite believe it either. They are an endangered species because they aren't breeding. It's quite incredible what's happened.'

Due to the cannibalistic nature of the Axolotls, which can grow up to 1ft in length, Mr Dempsey has had to move the eggs into another tank.

As each day goes by, more eggs are hatching and the flatmates have come up with a plan to house them elsewhere for a better chance of survival.

Mother: Pictured is the female Mexican Axolotl which Mr Dempsey and Mr Bonilla had bought from a pet store

Father: Due to the cannibalistic nature of the Axolotls, which can grow up to 1ft in length, Mr Dempsey has had to move the eggs into another tank.

Mr Dempsey has contacted the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary in Oban, who will take the eggs and hatched salamanders into their care

Mr Dempsey has contacted the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary in Oban, who will take the eggs and hatched salamanders into their care.

However, they are not able to cover the logistical costs of bringing 513 miles up the road.

The eggs and hatched water lizards need to be kept in warm water. Mr Dempsey estimated he would need to buy around six tanks and hire a car.

He's predicted his costs to be around £600 in total and has set up a crowdfunding page for people to donate to help his cause.

The fundraising money will be for the car hire, tanks for transport, a hotel for one night and the rest will be given to the sanctuary as a donation to help them with their new new members and existing Axolotls.

The baby creatures need to reach 90 days old before it is safe enough for them to travel.

He said: 'The tanks need to be sealed and warm. We will need to stay the night there too as it is a long drive.

'We want to set off early so that we can see where the Axolotls will be and so we know they'll be in a safe environment,

'We also want to know more about what the sanctuary does and just to spend the day there.'